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Capital city of Maranhão, Brazil
Photo: (WT-shared) Ricardo Rmx, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
São Luís is the capital of the Brazilian state of Maranhão. It's known for its colonial Historical Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a common stopover for visiting the stunning Lençóis Maranhenses.
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The city's main attraction. Founded in 1612 by the French, it has been gradually expanded until the 20th century, incorporating mostly Portuguese architecture adapted to the local climate. The azulejo titles, with insulating properties, are an example of adaption to tropical climate. The place is a testimony to the city's past wealth as the home of the cotton aristocrats, although many buildings are in sorrow shape.
Replica of fort and historical museum of island of Saint Louis area as it transitioned from French to Portuguese to Brazilian over the years.
Monument honoring the fishermen.
Botanical garden.
São Luís' western-most and most popular beach with a pier extending out into the bay, not far from the city center, but also probably the most polluted and sometimes overcrowded. There are several restaurants and reggae bars around the beach.
Reputedly the city's best beach, it has calm waters and good infrastructure of kiosks and restaurants.
Located a bit further east than Calhau, it's a bit less crowded but still has considerable infrastructure.
Another expanse of surf. Here you can sit under a palapa where the surf is rolling in.
Sand dunes. Sometimes only accessible by small boats from Raposa. There is parking available near the Tourist Information Center near the pier (Cais da Raposa).
This area is across the bay from Sao Luis, offering a good view of the main city. The area is not safe, and not recommended for tourists (unless you're in a large group).
A Buddhist/Chinese-themed water park, with slides and pools and ponds with pedal boats.
Another water park, but also has a medium-sized adventure park as well.
Real Italian style, probably the best in the state
Serves late lunch.
Big open air
Reggae spot by the boat terminal
Bar come club, mostly reggae, some live. Drinking on the street outside.
As big as it gets in this city. Forró. Also quite a party on the pavement outside.
Bright and clean, high ceilings. Shared bathroom. Kitchen. Includes breakfast.
Decadent
Here people mostly pay by the hour, but you might use it in emergencies.
Basic, small rooms. Seems to be barely hanging on.
A highrise hotel where you can have views of both Lagoa de Jansen and Baia de Sao Marcos, and a complimentary breakfast in the morning.
Nice rooms right on the beach, good food.
Nice rooms right on the beach, good food in a restored mansion in one of the most picturesque streets of the historic center. This hotel has comfortable rooms with air conditioning, internet access and its restaurant serves one of the best, if not the best, pizza in town. Prefer the rooms that overlook the funds, because those facing the street can be noisy especially at night. English, Spanish, and French spoken, delicious breakfast.
Staying here may be like getting one of those mystery sacks from the souvenir store when you were a kid.
Very rustic and authentic, in the heart of the colonial part of Sao Luis. Wifi and breakfast buffet.
Wifi, a/c, restaurant/bar, free breakfast, outdoor pools, gym, hot tub, spa, beach access. Inviting green grounds.
This very large mall will be like stepping out of the jungle into a sterile, cosmopolitan, frosty air-conditioned environment with food court and all the other shopping mall accoutrements.
Another shopping mall.
2 food courts, shops, theater.
Mall closest to the beach if you are looking for flip flops or sunscreen possibly.
By train
pdf to Parauapebas via Santa Inês, Açailândia, Marabá and others.
By plane
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São Luís · International · SLZ
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